The hottest Agriculture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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China clarifies its beef import investigation

Beijing Channel • 6 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Agriculture
  1. China's Ministry of Commerce has started an investigation into beef imports due to a big increase in imported beef that is hurting local cattle farmers.
  2. The investigation was prompted by requests from multiple industry groups worried about the impact of rising imports on their livelihoods.
  3. China emphasizes that the investigation is not targeting specific countries and that normal trade will continue during the probe.

☀️A Brighter Future Under the AI Sun

Crypto Good • 6 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. Generative AI is different from regular AI because it creates new ideas and solutions instead of just analyzing data. This means it can help develop things like better farming techniques or personalized medicine.
  2. AI is helping solve big challenges like healthcare and food security. Farmers can get real-time advice through their phones, making it easier to grow crops and combat pests.
  3. With AI, education is becoming more personalized and accessible. Every child can have their own AI tutor to learn at their own pace, breaking down barriers to high-quality education.

The environmental impact of agricultural crops

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. We need to feed more people, so farming has gotten more intense, which can hurt the environment. A new study shows exactly where agriculture is doing well and where it needs to improve.
  2. Different crops affect the environment in different ways, depending on where they are grown. For example, soybean and palm oil farming can be worse near water bodies because of runoff, while crops grown at higher altitudes may need more intensive farming.
  3. The study gives a clear picture of how sustainable or harmful different crops are. It finds that palm oil production in Southeast Asia is damaging, while soybean farming in the US and West Africa can be more sustainable.

History Repeating: The War on the Kulaks

The Corbett Report • 17 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
💾 History Agriculture
  1. The historical parallels between Stalin's war against the kulaks and the globalists' war against the neo-kulaks are clear today.
  2. The push to demonize farming and control farmland resembles the tactics used by Stalin to consolidate power.
  3. The narrative of eliminating 'dirty, polluting' farmers is about control and monopolizing resources, not about saving the planet.
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Genus Plc And Sex Selection

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Genus Plc focuses on agricultural biotech products, particularly in pig and bovine semen.
  2. They offer Intelligen sexing technologies for selecting the sex of offspring in animals.
  3. The use of similar sex selection technologies in humans raises ethical concerns and has varying levels of effectiveness.

Empowering Innovation: Real-Life Examples

European Straits • 14 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Innovation involves doing things differently with an impact, and it only counts when it can be scaled up and make a difference at scale.
  2. There are three types of innovation: efficiency, sustaining, and empowering (or disruptive) innovation, each with different impacts on capital, jobs, and industries.
  3. Empowering innovations like small nuclear reactors, AI, and satellite technology have the potential to reshape industries, but face challenges like capital availability and market readiness.

The road from serfdom

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💾 History Agriculture
  1. Institutional changes can be designed to buy in established interests using gains from reform which may avoid prolonged and violent conflicts for reform.
  2. The development of liberal institutions for long-term economic growth can present challenges for countries with existing poor institutions as seen in the Western Europe, East Asia, and North America regions.
  3. Instituting successful and lasting institutional reforms requires careful management of suboptimal institutions to effect change quickly and avoid backlash, as demonstrated by the agricultural reforms in Tsarist Russia under Pyotr Stolypin.

Let the sunshine in

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. Solar farms in New York State have helped increase farmland prices by 18% from 2015 to 2021. This shows that renewable energy can positively affect local economies.
  2. Farmland close to electric substations saw the most price increases. Locations far from the grid didn't benefit as much, making it more challenging for solar developers.
  3. Higher local electricity prices led to even greater appreciation in land values. Proper planning for renewable energy can improve lives and reduce electricity costs.

It’s the Energy, Stupid

Material World • 2 HN points • 22 Feb 23
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Energy is a critical driving force behind the economy, impacting everything from the production of goods to the growth of vegetables like tomatoes.
  2. The availability and cost of energy play a significant role in various industries, such as greenhouse farming for vegetables and manufacturing sectors.
  3. Energy efficiency is improving, but energy remains a crucial input for processes like producing solar panels and other advanced technologies, highlighting its importance in future advancements.

🌾 Drivers of adoption for seaweed and microalgae products in agriculture

paxtier • 1 implied HN point • 20 Dec 23
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Research in seaweed and microalgae adoption in agriculture has shown contradictory results and low explanatory power
  2. Key drivers for adoption in this space include innovation advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability
  3. Successful adoption in agriculture requires identification and demonstration of active chemicals in products

The Food Supply Chain through Vaclav Smil's Growth

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 21
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Obesity rates have skyrocketed since 1960, almost like it's a booming stock. This growing problem might be linked to how our food system feeds us unhealthy options.
  2. Advances in farming, like better corn yields, have greatly increased our food supply. But this is closely tied to the rise of junk food and processed products that contribute to obesity.
  3. Large-scale farming is taking over small farms, affecting food quality and sustainability. Local farms offer a healthier alternative, but they remain a tiny part of our food landscape.

Local Food, Small Farms, and Verbal Behavior

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 21
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Local food tastes better, and people are willing to pay for it once they try it. This creates business opportunities, but the market is crowded now.
  2. Small farms are becoming more popular because they can be more productive and sustainable than large farms. There's a trend of people getting into farming as a hobby.
  3. There's a debate about whether verbal behavior is the highest form of consciousness. Some thinkers suggest there are levels of consciousness beyond just words.

Climate Change's Next Victim? The Stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is important for ocean currents, and it may collapse due to melting ice and more rain. This could greatly impact the global climate.
  2. If AMOC weakens, northern Europe might get colder, and some places could see worse droughts and heatwaves. This could also hit agriculture and force people to move.
  3. There is a new warning system to track AMOC's health using climate models. It's important to understand these changes to avoid serious consequences.

From Birdsong to Silence

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. Bird populations are declining, with 48% of species in the UK seeing a drop from 2015 to 2020. This means there are fewer birds singing and chirping around us.
  2. Habitat loss, toxic pesticides, and climate change are major factors behind this decline. These issues make it harder for birds to survive and find food.
  3. Birds are important for our environment, helping with things like pest control and pollination. Losing them could lead to bigger problems in nature, so it's vital to support conservation efforts.

#47: Industrial unpredictability

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 20
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Industrial food is made in large amounts, which makes it uniform and predictable. This means you often get the same taste every time, like how fast food always tastes similar.
  2. However, creating food that surprises and delights is much harder and usually requires skill and experience. Artisanal food can do this because it doesn't need to be the same every time.
  3. The future of food might involve large-scale production that can still offer unexpected flavors. This could take advanced technology to achieve, like artificial intelligence that understands taste.

#6: Stacking the deck

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 19
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Low-intervention wine means less control in the winemaking process. Winemakers focus on letting nature take its course rather than forcing a specific outcome.
  2. High-intervention wine requires a lot of control and predictability. This method uses various techniques to ensure the wine meets exact expectations.
  3. Thinking differently about control can help in many areas of life. Embracing uncertainty and letting things develop naturally can lead to better and more surprising outcomes.

159 | Spotlight on Shigella | Superweeds (Super Bad) | Loving Fakes |

The Rotten Apple • 0 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Shigella bacteria can cause severe foodborne illness and mainly spreads through contaminated hands. Proper handwashing and careful food sourcing are crucial to prevent its spread.
  2. Superweeds are plants that have become resistant to common herbicides like glyphosate. They are a growing problem for farmers, leading to higher costs and reduced crop yields.
  3. Consumers sometimes buy counterfeit food products as a way to challenge social inequality. They may feel that buying fakes helps them reject expensive brands and achieve a sense of equality.

Connecting AI to Reality

The API Changelog • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. AI can help improve agriculture by using technology like autonomous robots and controlled environments. This means we can grow food more efficiently and sustainably.
  2. Tools like StockSmart use AI to help manage livestock grazing, which can lead to better outcomes for farmers and the environment.
  3. Construction can also benefit from AI, as companies use data and real-time insights to reduce costs and increase productivity while being more sustainable.

Silicon Valley's 99% Blindspot

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. Tech companies often build products for themselves and the wealthy, missing the needs of everyday people and large underserved markets.
  2. Big opportunities exist in building practical, vertical tech for non-technical users—like automating hospital discharges or early disease detection for farmers—which can be both impactful and profitable.
  3. Founders and early adopters should spend time with users outside the Valley and act as translators, turning powerful but complex technology into simple, trustworthy products people will actually use.

Saturday Sprouting Reads (Indian Agri-Fintech, Ag Drones Business Models, Agri-Input Supply Chains, Morality of Food, ESG Pushback)

Agribusiness Matters • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Agricultural credit usage in India differs based on land holdings, with larger holders relying more on institutional credit.
  2. Drones in agriculture have potential for spraying services and precision agriculture, with a future trajectory similar to call centers.
  3. Agritech startups are focusing on digitizing the agri-input supply chain to enhance operations and revenue growth.

🔅 Uganda's Bold Move on the Coffee Front

baobabnewsletter • 0 implied HN points • 25 May 23
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Uganda left the International Coffee Agreement 2007 with ambitious plans for its coffee industry.
  2. The country aims to distribute millions of new coffee seedlings to farmers and become a top coffee producer.
  3. Uganda saw record growth in coffee exports, earning $629.8 million in the last financial year.

ACR #25: Can Blockchain Solve Food Security?

Africa Crypto Report (ACR) • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. Blockchain is being used in Africa to improve transparency and efficiency in the food supply chain.
  2. eFama App by Coronet Blockchain helps farmers connect directly with buyers, ensuring product quality and eliminating intermediaries.
  3. The application aims to help farmers achieve product quality assurance, access markets directly, and build sustainable businesses.

[GUEST POST]: From Vegetable Consumption To Production

westafricaweekly • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Akwa Ibom farmers have transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial production of essential vegetables.
  2. The state government's initiatives and support have played a significant role in boosting vegetable cultivation in Akwa Ibom.
  3. Vegetables traditionally grown in Northern Nigeria are now successfully cultivated in Akwa Ibom, bridging the supply gap and promoting food security.

Ag Equipment Right To Repair Headed To Governor’s Desk in Colorado

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Agriculture
  1. Colorado House voted 44-16 for agricultural equipment right to repair bill, heading to Governor Polis for approval.
  2. The passing of Colorado's right to repair law marks a significant victory for the national campaign.
  3. Support from various groups, successful state laws on other repair rights, and persistent advocacy all contributed to the success of the agricultural right to repair bill.

Groups call on EPA to investigate Deere over violations of Clean Air Act

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Agriculture
  1. Groups are urging the EPA to investigate Deere for violating the Clean Air Act by restricting access to emissions systems for repairs, impacting farmers and repair professionals.
  2. Deere's practices of limiting repair options can result in higher costs for farmers, class action lawsuits, and long wait times for service.
  3. Under federal law, the EPA has the authority to take action against manufacturers failing to comply with emissions standards, so there's growing pressure for Deere to be held accountable.

Sticking It To Russia? Good! Remotely Bricking Ag Equipment? Not so much.

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 02 May 22
🌍 World Politics Agriculture
  1. Ukrainians disabled stolen farm equipment remotely, frustrating thieving Russian troops, which highlights the intertwining of technology and agriculture in modern theft prevention.
  2. Actions like remotely disabling stolen equipment are not only about preventing theft but also about monitoring and collecting valuable agricultural data, which companies like Deere can monetize.
  3. The use of remote management and anti-theft features in agriculture equipment signifies a more intricate relationship between technology, surveillance, and protection in the farming industry.

Smartbulbs and Tractors and NFTvs...Oh My! The Worst of CES

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. The CES event showcased concerning security issues with products like John Deere's autonomous tractor, raising questions about cybersecurity and potential risks posed by vulnerabilities.
  2. Deere's response to security vulnerabilities, including launching a bug bounty program, fell short in transparency and substance, indicating a lack of significant organizational change to address the issues.
  3. Other categories for the Worst In Show at CES included privacy concerns with products like the Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Lightbulb and environmental impact with items like the Samsung NFT Aggregation Platform.

How Big Ag Weaponizes The Clean Air Act To Keep Its Repair Monopoly

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Manufacturers of agricultural equipment use scare tactics about emissions to build profitable service and repair monopolies.
  2. Unlike the automotive industry, the agricultural equipment market faces stricter restrictions regarding repairs and maintenance.
  3. Big Ag's focus on emissions control is part of a strategy to prevent right to repair laws and perpetuate a monopoly on parts and services, rather than a genuine concern for clean air.

Sri Lanka vs chemical fertilizers: did organic farming ruin the country?

First principles trivia • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics Agriculture
  1. Sri Lanka's ban on chemical fertilizers led to a collapse in rice yields, economic crisis, and social unrest due to shortages and inflation.
  2. The ban was due to concerns about fertilizer safety, but the real issue was a shortage of foreign currency reserves, impacting imports and economy.
  3. Allegations of corruption and influence by close associates may have played a role in decisions about the fertilizer ban, impacting the situation.

Yes, Crypto. The Smart Money Is on Farmland.

James Ledbetter's FIN • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💰 Finance Agriculture
  1. Investing in farmland can be a smart long-term choice, offering consistent returns, inflation protection, and potential growth driven by global trends like population growth and innovation.
  2. Platforms like AcreTrader, FarmTogether, and Alto Marketplace are making it easier for accredited retail investors to access farmland investments as part of a diversified portfolio strategy.
  3. Despite the risks like weather impacts and limited liquidity, the interest in farmland investing is growing with the potential for significant returns over time and unique investment opportunities.

8/26 TBC Insider Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 21
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. Xi Jinping's statements on tech were mapped out to understand his true stance, deviating from misquotes online. This article is highly recommended for insights into this important topic.
  2. The intersection of agriculture and tech in China is not just a response to recent government initiatives. Dive deeper into this sector to understand its significance for tech companies.
  3. Ecommerce taxes in China are not separate; it's more about the willingness than the ability to collect taxes. While movement in this area may be slow, addressing ecommerce fraud is crucial.